Introduction to Semiconductors – Gibilisco MCQs in Electronics

This is the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in Chapter 19: Introduction to Semiconductors from the book Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics, 5th edition by Stan Gibilisco. If you are looking for a reviewer in Electronics Engineering this will definitely help you before taking the Board Exam.

Start Practice Exam Test Questions

1. The term “semiconductor” arises from:

A. Resistor-like properties of metal oxides.

B. Variable conductive properties of some materials.

C. The fact that there’s nothing better to call silicon.

D. Insulating properties of silicon and GaAs.

2. Which of the following is not an advantage of semiconductor devices over vacuum tubes?

A. Smaller size.

B. Lower working voltage.

C. Lighter weight.

D. Ability to withstand high voltages.

3. The most common semiconductor among the following substances is:

A. Germanium.

B. Galena.

C. Silicon.

D. Copper.

4. GaAs is a(n):

A. Compound.

B. Element.

C. Conductor.

D. Gas.

5. A disadvantage of gallium-arsenide devices is that:

A. The charge carriers move fast.

B. The material does not react to ionizing radiation.

C. It is expensive to produce.

D. It must be used at high frequencies.

6. Selenium works especially well in:

A. Photocells.

B. High-frequency detectors.

C. Radio-frequency power amplifiers.

D. Voltage regulators.

7. Of the following, which material allows the lowest forward voltage drop in a diode?

A. Selenium.

B. Silicon.

C. Copper.

D. Germanium.

8. A CMOS integrated circuit:

A. Can only work at low frequencies.

B. Is susceptible to damage by static.

C. Requires considerable power to function.

D. Needs very high voltage.

9. The purpose of doping is to:

A. Make the charge carriers move faster.

B. Cause holes to flow.

C. Give a semiconductor material certain properties.

D. Protect devices from damage in case of transients.

10. A semiconductor material is made into N type by:

A. Adding an acceptor impurity.

B. Adding a donor impurity.

C. Injecting electrons.

D. Taking electrons away.

11. Which of the following does not result from adding an acceptor impurity?

A. The material becomes P type.

B. Current flows mainly in the form of holes.

C. Most of the carriers have positive electric charge.

D. The substance has an electron surplus.

12. In a P-type material, electrons are:

A. Majority carriers.

B. Minority carriers.

C. Positively charged.

D. Entirely absent.

13. Holes flow from:

A. Minus to plus.

B. Plus to minus.

C. P-type to N-type material.

D. N-type to P-type material.

14. When a P-N junction does not conduct, it is:

A. Reverse biased.

B. Forward biased.

C. Biased past the breaker voltage.

D. In a state of avalanche effect.

15. Holes flow the opposite way from electrons because:

A. Charge carriers flow continuously.

B. Charge carriers are passed from atom to atom.

C. They have the same polarity.

D. No! Holes flow in the same direction as electrons.

16. If an electron has a charge of -1 unit, a hole has:

A. A charge of -1 unit.

B. No charge.

C. A charge of +1 unit.

D. A charge that depends on the semiconductor type.

17. When a P-N junction is reverse-biased, the capacitance depends on all of the following except:

A. The frequency.

B. The width of the depletion region.

C. The cross-sectional area of the junction.

D. The type of semiconductor material.

18. If the reverse bias exceeds the avalanche voltage in a P-N junction: